How to Find Affiliates on TikTok (11 Tips)

Author Photo: Nick
I hope you enjoy reading this post. If you want me to audit your affiliate program, click here. Author: Nick Cotter | Founder of Growann
Updated on Nov 04, 2024

This page features products from our partners, which may provide us with compensation.

Securing the right affiliates for your TikTok Shop can significantly impact your brand's visibility and sales. Despite the challenge, some strategies have proven to be more effective than others in attracting top-tier affiliates. Based on insights from experienced TikTok Shop users, here’s how you can refine your approach to affiliate recruitment.
Upfluence connects your brand to 4M+ creators ready to sell. Start now.

Frustrated with trying to get the attention of affiliates on TikTok?

You’re not alone.

In this guide, we're diving deep into the tactics I've both seen and tested on TikTok to attract some of the highest quality content creators out there.

From personal experience and a bit of trial and error, I’ve gathered insights that could make a real difference in how you approach affiliate recruitment on this platform.

Table of Contents
OUR PARTNER Power PICK OF THE MONTH
Find 1k+ Affiliates with Upfluence

Upfluence helps you to streamline affiliate and influencer outreach, while you're able to focus on program growth.
FIND YOUR 1K+ AFFILIATES
Featured
Image of Upfluence logo
Upfluence
Best Fit For: Influencer Search & Management
Growann Rating ★★★★★

11 Tips & Tactics to Find TikTok Shop Affiliates

1. Content Creation and Advertising.

Creating engaging content is the cornerstone of attracting affiliates on TikTok.

By consistently posting captivating and relevant videos, you not only engage your audience but also draw in potential affiliates who see the value in promoting your products.

Take for instance Scrub Daddy’s TikTok channel.

Image of ScrubDaddy TikTok Channel
Source

One of the most captivating and entertaining TikTok channels… for dish scrubs.

Their content is unique and different.

Pro tip: Utilizing TikTok's advertising platform can amplify the reach of your most successful videos, making them visible to a broader audience, including potential affiliates.

This increased visibility can lead to a higher number of affiliate applications, as more creators become aware of your brand and its offerings.

2. Offering Free Samples.

Providing free samples to potential affiliates is a powerful way to build trust and credibility.

When affiliates have the opportunity to try your products firsthand, they can authentically vouch for their quality and effectiveness in their promotions. This authenticity is crucial for engaging their audience and generating sales through their affiliate links.

Free samples demonstrate your confidence in your product and your commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership with your affiliates.

3. Active Recruitment and Communication.

Actively seeking out and communicating with potential affiliates is essential for building a robust affiliate network.

Here’s what I’d suggest you first start out doing.

Through your own personal or branded TikTok channel, start searching for content ideas that might be relevant to your target audience.

For instance, let’s say you’re a dish soap or dish scrub brand.

I’d begin searching on TikTok things like: “Kitchen hacks” or “DIY kitchen”

You’ll begin to see some of the most relevant and viral content creators display within the TikTok search results.

Image of TikTok Search Results
Source

From there, I’d begin to build out an outreach list with their channel name, creator’s name, video that you watched and some notes about why you liked it, etc.

4. Incentive Structure.

Creators on TikTok are more likely to put effort into crafting and sharing content that promotes your products when they know there's a rewarding commission structure in place.

Competitive commission rates encourage creators to not only participate in your affiliate program but also to prioritize your products over others.

Unique Strategy Example: Tiered Incentive Program with Gamification Elements

Create a tiered commission structure that incorporates gamification elements to make the affiliate program more engaging and rewarding for TikTok creators. This structure not only incentivizes initial participation but also encourages ongoing content creation and product promotion, adapting to the dynamic and interactive nature of TikTok.

Tiered Commission Structure:

  • Bronze Level: All new affiliates start here. Offer a base commission rate for every sale made through their affiliate links.
  • Silver Level: Once affiliates reach a certain number of sales (e.g., 50 sales), they move up to the Silver level, which offers a higher commission rate plus a one-time bonus.
  • Gold Level: The top tier, achieved after reaching a higher threshold of sales (e.g., 200 sales). Gold affiliates enjoy the highest commission rates, larger bonuses, and exclusive benefits such as early access to new products or a feature on your brand’s TikTok page.

Gamification Elements:

  • Challenges and Competitions: Regularly host challenges or competitions where affiliates can earn points for not just sales, but also engagement metrics like views, likes, and shares on their promotional TikTok videos. Offer exciting rewards for top performers, such as cash bonuses, exclusive merchandise, or even trips.
  • Progress Tracking: Provide a dashboard where affiliates can track their sales, see their current tier, and monitor how close they are to the next level or reward. This transparency adds to the gamification experience, encouraging continuous participation.
  • Social Proof and Recognition: Use your brand’s TikTok account to highlight successful affiliates, especially those who reach the Silver and Gold tiers. Sharing their achievements not only serves as recognition but also as social proof, motivating other affiliates to increase their efforts.

Implementing a tiered incentive program with gamification elements specifically caters to the unique environment of TikTok, leveraging its highly engaged user base and content creativity.

5. Scaling Your Outreach.

Efficiently scaling your outreach is crucial for managing a large volume of potential affiliates. Automation tools and bots can significantly streamline the process, allowing you to send personalized invitations and follow-ups to hundreds or even thousands of creators daily.

This approach ensures you maintain a personal touch while vastly expanding your reach, ultimately growing your affiliate network more quickly and effectively.

6. Working with Creator Agencies.

Partnering with creator agencies can be a strategic move to streamline the process of finding and collaborating with high-quality affiliates.

These agencies have access to a wide network of vetted creators across various niches, saving you time and effort in recruitment.

Additionally, agencies can negotiate deals on your behalf and provide insights into creating successful partnerships. Working with an agency ensures a professional approach to affiliate marketing, tapping into their expertise to match your products with the most suitable creators.

For instance, here are some of the most well known talent agencies around the world:

Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

One of the leading entertainment and sports agencies globally, CAA represents many of the most successful professionals in film, television, music, theater, video games, sports, and digital content.

William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Another powerhouse in talent representation, WME offers services across movies, television, music, theater, digital media, books, and more, representing a broad range of artists and creators.

IMG

Originally focusing on sports, fashion, and event management, IMG has expanded into representing talent in various entertainment sectors, including digital and social media influencers.

The Gersh Agency

With a strong focus on talent and literary representation, The Gersh Agency has diversified into digital media, representing up-and-coming talent across traditional and new media platforms.

United Talent Agency (UTA)

United Talent Agency (UTA) is a prominent player in the global entertainment industry, offering a wide range of services including talent representation, brand management, and content production. UTA represents a diverse array of clients across various entertainment sectors such as film, television, music, digital media, books, and live entertainment.

7. Leveraging an Influencer Creator Network

Influencer networks are platforms that connect brands with influencers and creators looking for collaboration opportunities.

By joining an influencer creator network, you can gain access to a large pool of potential affiliates with diverse audiences and engagement rates.

These platforms often provide tools for managing campaigns, tracking performance, and processing payments, making it easier to manage your affiliate relationships.

Here’s a list of some influencer creator networks and platforms that can help you find the right influencers for your brand:

  • AspireIQ (formerly Revfluence): One of the leading influencer marketing platforms, AspireIQ streamlines the process of finding and collaborating with influencers across various social media channels.
  • Influencity: This platform offers detailed analytics and tools for managing influencer campaigns, making it easier for brands to measure the impact of their influencer collaborations.
  • Upfluence: Upfluence provides access to millions of influencers across social media platforms, equipped with powerful search and campaign management tools.
  • CreatorIQ: Geared towards enterprise-level brands, CreatorIQ offers influencer marketing tools that focus on authenticity and leveraging advanced data analytics.
  • Heepsy: With a search engine for finding influencers by location, category, and other criteria, Heepsy is a great tool for brands looking to target their influencer search precisely.
  • Trend: This platform focuses on connecting brands with content creators who can produce high-quality, authentic content for Instagram and other platforms.
  • BrandSnob: With a focus on quality over quantity, BrandSnob offers brands the chance to work with a curated selection of influencers, primarily on Instagram.
  • Tribe: Tribe connects brands with micro-influencers who create original content that can be purchased by brands for their marketing campaigns.
  • Grapevine Logic: Focused on YouTube and Instagram, Grapevine Logic offers a platform for brands to connect with influencers and manage campaigns.
  • #paid: This platform pairs brands with content creators for authentic storytelling across social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

8. TikTok Creator Marketplace

The TikTok Creator Marketplace is the platform's official collaboration hub, connecting brands with creators.

It offers detailed analytics on creator performance, including audience demographics and engagement metrics, helping you make informed decisions about whom to partner with. Utilizing the Creator Marketplace allows you to reach out directly to potential affiliates on TikTok, propose collaboration ideas, and track the performance of your campaigns. 

This tool is invaluable for brands looking to engage with TikTok's vast creator community effectively.

9. Offer Exclusive TikTok-First Products

Attract affiliates by offering them the opportunity to be the first to promote new or exclusive products on TikTok.

This exclusivity can be a significant draw for creators looking to offer fresh content to their audience and can set your affiliate program apart from competitors.

SPONSOR
Tracknow

Tracknow is a powerful affiliate software solution designed to help businesses track and optimize their affiliate marketing efforts across various industries.
LEARN MORE
Want more affiliates?
Upfluence helps you to streamline affiliate and influencer outreach, while you're able to focus on program growth.
Nick Cotter

Nick Cotter

Founder & CEO
Growann

With over 7 years navigating the intricate realms of marketing, and specifically B2B partner marketing, Nick has forged collaborations with top-tier tech brands, prominent agencies, and some of the industry's foremost B2B publishers and content creators. His deep immersion in both marketing landscapes showcases a trajectory of expertise and innovation. Identifying a significant void in specialized resources, he founded Growann.The aspiration? Deliver unparalleled insights and guidance, carving out a dedicated space where the broader marketing and B2B partner marketing communities can flourish.